A journal dedicated to truth, freedom of speech and radical spiritual consciousness. Our mission is the liberation of men and women from oppression, violence and abuse of any kind, interpersonal, political, religious, economic, psychosexual. We believe as Fidel Castro said, "The weapon of today is not guns but consciousness."

On
behalf of the Black Arts Movement, we congratulate you all for
declaring support of the Black Arts Movement 50th Anniversary.
Because
of our role as artistic freedom fighters (Paul Robeson)
we have often
been marginalized, books banned, language
censored, denied employment,
especially by those in academia
and other sectors of society who have
taken on the role of culture
police.

Your letters of
support indicates a level of understanding that we
appreciate. We are
confident the City of Oakland will provide us
with the necessary funding
to make our Oakland celebration a
success. We especially appreciate
your call for age-appropriate
Black Arts Movement literature in the
schools. I must add,
BAM literature must reach parents as well.

While
we have the BAM Isaiah 61 Project in partnership with
Paul Cobb and the
Post News Group, and will make every
effort to provide literature to
the incarcerated, we agree with
Paul, "Crack a book before you are
booked for Crack!" We
know BAM literature can inspire our children with
cultural
consciousness, purpose and direction as they navigate
their
perilous mental landscape, not to mention this world
full of pitfalls
and land mines they must overcome.

Your endorsement of
the Black Arts Movement District
along 14th Street is outstanding.
Growing up on 7th Street
in West Oakland, along with Paul Cobb, we feel
the creation
of a BAM District would allow Oakland's North American
Africans to experience the culture and art we enjoyed on
7th Street,
Harlem of the West.

Trust me, your letters of support should silence the doubters
that such a project will be realized in their lifetime.

Sincerely,

Marvin X. Jackmon, M.A.

Project Director

BAM 27 City Tour

Mayor Elect Libby Schaaf endorses

The Black Arts Movement

BAM Executive Board Member Conway Jones with Mayor Elect Libby Schaaf

“Oakland is lucky to have an incredibly talented and diverse art
community. The African American Arts Movement is a vital, historically
significant part of the Oakland Arts Community. With its focus on
justice, equality, and self-realization, the message of black artists is
crucial to support. From rage to celebration, art allows expression,
and expression is essential to a community as varied as Oakland. The
recent 1% for Public Art that I authored ensures that new art will be a
priority in Oakland in the future. I agree with Post Publisher Paul Cobb
that BAM 50th Anniversary celebration should encompass all cultural
genres: visual, literary, and performance. Age-appropriate books for
African American students about the Black Arts Movement will literally
bring the lesson home for families to share and aspire to.”

About Me

Truth will not make you rich, but it will make you free.--Francis Bacon

Marvin has been ignored and silenced,like Malcolm would be ignored and silenced if he had lived on into the Now. He's one of the most extraordinary, exciting black intellectuals living today --Rudolph Lewis, Chickenbones.